When driving on rough tracks and off-road always drive slowly and be aware of possible hazards.
Please observe the following precautions if you drive the vehicle on unsurfaced tracks or off-road:
When driving off-road you are advised to avoid tracks or terrain which are not suited to the design of the car and your own driving skills and experience. Do not take risks.
Drive slowly and be ready for possible hazards.
Be aware of the maximum ground clearance of your vehicle.
Activate the ESP off-road mode if required Link.
On steep downhill gradients make use of the downhill assist function Link.
Loose surfaces and off-road terrain
On unfamiliar roads and off-road terrain, drive slowly and be prepared for unexpected obstacles, such as pot-holes, rocks or tree stumps, etc.
To prevent ground contact and possible damage to the underside, do not drive the bottom of your vehicle directly over raised obstacles. Instead, drive the wheels on one side of the car up and across the top of the obstacle.
When driving over sand or soft mud, maintain a moderate speed and avoid stopping if possible.
Driving through water
Please note the following in order to prevent damage to the vehicle when driving through water (e.g. on flooded roads):
- The water level must not be higher than the vehicle's underbody.
- Do not drive faster than walking pace.
Steep slopes
Should you encounter a situation where the car will not climb up a slope do not try to turn around. Drive back down in reverse gear, otherwise there is risk that the car may tip over.
If the car shows a tendency to tip over when negotiating a steep slope at an angle, you must steer downslope immediately.
Do not park your car on steep uphill or downhill slopes.
To reduce any risk of tipping over, drive directly up or down a slope wherever possible, in line with the gradient. Do not take the slope at an angle.
Driving on snow (off-road)
The standard tyres fitted on the car are not winter tyres. For winter conditions, change to wheels with winter tyres in good time. Fit snow chains before driving on uncleared roads or tracks with loose snow. For technical reasons snow chains must be fitted on the rear wheels only - NOT on the front wheels.
WARNING!
After driving through water, mud, sludge, etc., the braking effect can be delayed slightly due to moisture on the discs and brake pads. Applying the brakes carefully several times will remove the moisture and restore the full braking effect.
Caution!
- Parts of the vehicle (e.g. engine, gearbox, running gear or electrical components) can be badly damaged when driving through water.
- Always switch off the start/stop system* Link before driving through water.
Note
- It is advisable to check the depth at the deepest point before approaching the water.
- Do NOT stop the vehicle, drive in reverse or switch off the engine before you are out of the water.
- Please bear in mind that waves created by oncoming traffic could exceed the permissible wading depth of your vehicle.
- Avoid driving through salt water (corrosion).